Ole Miss vs Furman score prediction, scouting prediction for college football Week 1

OXFORD — Ole Miss opens the 2024 college football season as a 42-point favorite against Furman.

The Rebels are paying the FCS Paladins $500,000 to make the trip to Vaught-Hemingway Stadium on Saturday (6 p.m., ESPN+) in a game that the bookmakers expect to result in a straightforward Ole Miss win.

Here's what to watch for.

Will Juice Wells or Jordan Watkins play for Ole Miss vs Furman?

The Rebels should have one of the nation's best groups of receivers. For Saturday, though, it's unclear how many of those will be available. Coach Len Kiffin didn't offer a direct answer when asked if he expected Juice Wells and Jordan Watkins ‒ two projected starters dealing with preseason injuries ‒ to play.

With those injury issues in mind, Ole Miss hopes to run the ball effectively against the Paladins.

Ole Miss' running back usage is something to monitor. The Rebels haven't released an official depth chart and haven't indicated who they expect to get the majority of the carries. It seems plausible that Ulysses Bentley IV, Henry Parrish Jr. and Rashad Amos could all share the workload, given their different skill sets.

"We got a lot of receiver injuries going into this first game, so the ability to run the ball is going to be very important in this game," Kiffin said.

Should Wells and Watkins miss out, it will provide the Rebels' younger receivers with a chance to play. Even if both of those stars suit up, Cayden Lee and Ayden Williams should get plenty of reps in what is likely to be a lopsided affair.

"Don't be surprised if those names are popping up a lot," wideout Tre Harris said.

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Furman endured offseason turnover

The Paladins had a great season in 2023, winning 10 games and advancing to the second round of the FCS playoffs. That invited programs higher up the food chain to start picking off Furman's talent.

Quarterback Tyler Huff landed at Jacksonville State. Corner Ivan Yates went to Colorado. Edge rusher Jack Barton transferred to Georgia Tech.

Sophomore Carson Jones is expected to start at quarterback. He passed for 542 yards and seven touchdowns in six games last year, playing some important snaps while Huff dealt with an injury.

"They got some wide receivers that are really good playmakers," Ole Miss safety Trey Washington said.

Ole Miss score prediction vs. Furman

Ole Miss 50, Furman 7. There is no reason for this game to be competitive into the second half. The Paladins are a good FCS program, but they don't match up well enough physically to come into Oxford and give the Rebels a scare.

David Eckert covers Ole Miss for the Clarion Ledger. Email him at deckert@gannett.com or reach him on Twitter @davideckert98.

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This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger: Ole Miss vs Furman score prediction, scouting prediction for college football Week 1